Message of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, for International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

6 February 2014

Date :
31 January 2014

Today UN Women joins people around the world in calling for an end to female genital mutilation (FGM). We applaud the thousands of communities that have made public declarations to abandon this harmful practice.

While progress is being made, up to 30 million girls under the age of 15 remain at risk, and some 125 million girls and women have undergone the procedure.

FGM violates the basic rights of women and girls and seriously compromises their health. It poses increased risk of HIV transmission, infection or prolonged bleeding and increased risks during childbirth. It leaves lasting physical and emotional scars.

While the practice of FGM is a tradition in some parts of the world, it cannot be justified on the grounds of religion or culture. It is a violation of human rights and a manifestation of gender inequality.

To end FGM, leadership is needed at every level, from Governments to community and religious leaders, medical professionals and families.

Today, as we commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation, UN Women calls for intensified efforts to stop the practice in all its forms. We pledge to increase support for efforts to prevent female genital mutilation, and advance gender equality and human rights, including the right to sexual and reproductive health and to live free of violence and discrimination.

Links to stories:

In Ethiopia, church bells ring for women and girls
Religious leaders in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church are raising awareness against violence against women and girls among their peers and among gender clubs for girls in schools, while offering vocational training for survivors.